DC Comics to launch new web comics imprint

MUMBAI: One of the biggest English-language publisher of comics – DC Comics – has launched a new web comics imprint called Zudacomics.com.

The home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman, DC Comics will soon publish new, never before seen online content featuring new characters and concepts through Zudacomics.com.

The site is scheduled to launch in October and will feature multiple ongoing web comics. Following the site’s launch, the majority of the web comics will be selected by Zudacomics.com’s visitors, who will vote on new web comics presented to them in periodic competitions. Winners of the competitions will receive commissions to create a year’s worth of their web comics for the site, and will have their work published in print formats as well.

“There is an explosion of creativity in web comics. We want to build a great stage for this new generation of creators to perform on, a solid system for their work to reach audiences online and in print, and for the creators to share in the profits their creations can generate. In this time of rapid technological and cultural change, DC wants to be a good publisher for the evolving and growing community of online comic creators, so that we can be their partner for showcasing new kinds of works to entertain future generations,” said DC Comics president and publisher Paul Levitz.

Creators will be encouraged to send submissions that run the full gamut of comic book genresÃ¢â‚¬â€from humor, romance, science fiction, fantasy and superheroes.

Zudacomics.com’s official tagline is “click here to continue.” The site will have variations of a site logo that reflects the scope and ambition of the imprint. “In designing the Zuda logo, it was important to echo back to the interactive nature of the web, the creativity of our medium and the diversity of the comics community. We soon realized that there shouldn’t be just one logo. We wanted to reflect the different ‘faces’ of web comics that we are looking to publish. It’s all about the diversity of the readership and the medium,” said DC Comics senior vice president and creative director Richard Bruning.

Unlike a traditional comic book page (which traditionally measures 6 5/8″ X 10 1/4″), a Zuda web comic will consist of a series of 4:3 aspect ratio screens, so that users will be able to read a web comic installment without opening an additional window in their browser or excessive scrolling. Ongoing Zuda web comics will run for at least 52 total installments, in addition to the initial submission.

DC Comics has chosen IBM Global Business Services to design and build the new Zudacomics.com site. The site will embrace leading Web 2.0 technologies such as blogging, commenting, rating and tagging to encourage maximum community participation and feedback on artists’ submissions.